Mackenzie Half Marathon organiser Jasmine Shaw said 730 people showed up on July 20, making it the biggest edition of the event yet.
She had expected the number to be lower due to inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Ms Shaw said she felt the success of the event was in the pricing, as it was cheaper than many of the other larger running events around the country.
The price had been kept affordable because organisers had wanted younger entrants to participate too.
She felt with over half of the entrants coming from outside Fairlie, businesses in the area — like cafes and motels — had been busy.
She said food trucks were allowed at the event, but organisers had limited them so local businesses would make money too.
The idea of the half-marathon had originated when her mother Yvonne Shaw had been running over the mountains six years ago and had proclaimed what a good track it would be.
Started initially by her and her husband John, the event was now run by the Fairlie Lions and supported by other local community groups.
He said, "It was great to see a record number of athletes come and support our event for another year.
"This event is one of our main fundraising initiatives for the Lions, raising over $40,000, which goes directly back into supporting the community."
The sound of the Mackenzie Pipe Band set the tone, as the fog eventually gave way to clear blue skies.
Those running the half-marathon were offered a dram of whisky at the top of the hill.
A talking point of the event had been the signs dotted along the track, one saying "yes it is a kilt ... and the answer is no".
Ms Shaw said organisers tried to add a few new signs every year to give the regular entrants something new to chuckle at.
